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Copper Mountain Fire Department’s Engine 1 and Summit County Ambulance responded at 7 a.m. Thursday, May 8, to a report of a car losing control on Colorado Highway 91 at milepost 15 near Clinton Lake.

Upon arrival, Copper Engine 1 assumed command, according to an agency news release. The driver was not inside the car and was being assisted by Climax Security.

According to investigation at the scene by Colorado State Patrol troopers, who also responded to the call, the driver was traveling close to 70 miles per hour, hit a patch of ice on a curve and lost control. The vehicle struck a guardrail and rolled over three to four times before coming to rest on Clinton Lake, according to the Copper Mountain Fire Department news release.

There was still a 12-inch layer of ice on the lake, the release stated, and there was no risk the car would fall though and sink to the bottom.

Copper Mountain Fire chief Gary Curmode later arrived on scene and assisted with safety. Employees with the Colorado Department of Transportation also were dispatched to the scene to sand the highway. After tow trucks arrived to retrieve the vehicle, command was terminated, the release stated.

“I would like all drivers on Highway 91 and Interstate 70 to lower their speeds during inclement weather, and especially when entering curves, slow down to 30 to 40 mph,” Curmode said in the release. “This driver was in a hurry and he ultimately did not get to his destination. Instead, he made a trip to the hospital and totaled his car.

“Haste makes waste and in this case, the driver is lucky to be alive.”